What Happens When You Get a Cavity

Posted on Jan 26, 2018 2:20pm PST

A minor cavity is nothing to panic about, but understanding how tooth decay
works helps you take better care of your
dental health. Cavities form when you don’t take proper care of your oral
health, so you’re at risk if you don’t brush, floss, and see
your dentist near Belmont. Change your habits to protect yourself from
tooth decay, and visit the dentist to have your existing cavities filled
in. If you’re worried about your enamel, read ahead and find out
what happens when you get a cavity.

How It Forms

Most people experience tooth decay at some point in their lives. Tooth
decay happens when bacteria, food debris, and acid build up on your tooth
enamel. Eventually, this combination of contaminants will break down the
enamel and leave cavities. Sugar is a particularly dangerous substance
for your teeth, so be careful with your snacking.

What to Do

If you think you have a cavity, the first thing you can do is change your
habits, so the decay doesn’t worsen. This means taking better care
of your teeth and gums, seeing the dentist more frequently, and considering
what makes up your diet. To treat the damage that has been already done,
you can make an appointment with your dentist. Your dental health professionals
can clean your teeth and fill in the decay in a way that is unnoticeable
to others.

Ways to Prevent Decay

Tooth decay might be a common problem, but it’s one that’s
easy to protect yourself from. You can start by brushing your teeth twice
every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and an ADA recommended toothpaste.
Floss once per day to remove bacteria from the sides of your teeth and
under your gum line, and visit your dentist for professional cleanings
and checkups at least twice a year. It also helps to limit your intake
of sugary snacks and energy drinks, as these can leave contaminants on
your teeth that attack your enamel. Brush your teeth in between meals,
and make sure there’s plenty of water in your diet.